9 misconceptions about mobile app development

With the tremendous growth of mobile apps, technology has become the backbone of many new businesses. In fact, a recent survey done by AT&T found that 66 percent of small startups would find it difficult to do business without wireless technology.

And while many new companies recognize the importance of mobile app development, they probably also have some misconceptions about them, which will ultimately end up hurting business in the long run.

To help you avoid these mistakes, we’ve put together a list of nine major misconceptions about mobile app development that you need to understand before developing your new app.

Misconception #1: one platform is enough

There’s a popular belief in the app development world that you only need to make an app for one platform. But the fact is, only developing for one platform limits your market value and may sabotage the goals you set for your app.

According to a study by IDC, Android dominated the 2015 Q2 smartphone market with a share of 82.80 percent. But that doesn’t mean that you should ignore the other platforms. iOS is also a contender, with a 14 percent market share, followed by Windows and BlackBerry.

Therefore, it would be a mistake to devote yourself to one platform. Building versions of your app for multiple platforms not only helps your app reach more mobile users, it also saves you money. Thus, develop your app for different platforms.

Misconception #2: app development doesn’t take much time

Apps require hard work, resources, and a ton of time to develop. And just because an app seems simple doesn’t mean it could be made quickly.

In general, it takes at least four to 12 months to develop an app, with games taking longer to develop due to things like graphics. Still, not all gaming apps take the same amount of time to build. Consider Angry Birds and Flappy Bird. Both feature complex storylines and highly interactive designs. But according to PC World, Rovio spent eight or nine months developing Angry Birds, whereas Flappy Bird, a similar gaming app, was created and developed in just three days.

Misconception #3: mobile app development is cheap

Many businesses mistakenly think that app development is a one-time investment. According to mrc-productivity, these companies focus solely on development costs and ignore the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

Misconception #4: your app must be a paid app

Charging for your new app is a bad idea because most users prefer free apps. They don’t want to risk paying too much for an app that they will likely soon abandon.

If your app’s main purpose is to generate revenue, start with in-app advertisements. Because your app will be free to download, more people will download your app than if you charged for it. And more downloads equals more regular users who will click on more ads, ultimately driving revenue.

Misconception #5: app development is a “once and done” process

Your job doesn’t end with launching your app. Pay attention to your user feedback and ratings and use them to help you make timely updates and bug fixes. Updating your app will keep your app fresh and extend your its lifecycle.

Misconception #6: mobile apps are too complex to understand

Most new businesses think that because mobile phones have less screen real estate, mobile apps are more difficult to use than traditional websites. But most apps are either already user-friendly or have the capability to be made user-friendly, thus making this a moot point.

Misconception #7: mobile apps have better features than mobile websites

This is only partially true. Mobile apps are designed to accomplish particular tasks, while mobile websites allow you to perform better in search rankings, which helps customers find you in a mobile-friendly way on search engines.

Misconception #8: small companies don’t need to have an app

With the app market becoming more crowded by the day, many small businesses are conflicted about developing an app of their own. But the fact remains: without an app, your small business will miss out on a rapidly growing marketing platform.

Startups like Ola, Uber, and Myntra gained their popularity not on the web, but as apps. And to this day, they remain app-only. To stay ahead in the competition, consider developing a mobile app. Your app will soon become an essential part of your marketing plan.

Misconception #9: downloads define an app’s success

Yes, app downloads matter, but they’re only one step in the journey of your app’s success. What you’re really looking for is an active user base. While the average mobile owner uses about 24 different apps a month, SEO giant Moz found that the top five apps generate 80 to 90 percent of all app usage. And these are the users you want to target.